Elections for university rectors and deans of faculties in Albania were scheduled for late March, but due to pandemics, Education, Sports and Youth Minister Besa Shahini postponed the June 12 election. Given the current situation, are the elections going against the law?
It is worth mentioning that the campaign starts on May 11, during which time the students are not at the university. In the order for taking measures for the academic year 2019-2020, Minister Shahini emphasized the continuity of online teaching for the closure of curricula in any study program. Only students who are on the verge of graduation or in need of repetition, consultation, development of laboratory work, etc. will return to the auditorium part-time. So, as long as the students are not in the faculties these days, the question naturally arises in what form will the program be presented to those who are expected to lead the institutions where the students will attend the study cycle?
It is true that students have little weight in voting, only 10%, but it is nevertheless a right that is recognized and protected by law.
The regulation "On the organization of elections for the governing authorities and the academic senate at the University of Tirana" in Article 38 on "Invalidity of elections" states that the Institutional Election Commission declares university elections invalid if (point b) natural disasters of such magnitude have occurred that have prevented voters from voting. ? Recall that the state of natural disaster ends on June 23.
In fact, the rector of the University of Tirana, Mykyr Koni, announced that no elections will be held without students, while it remains unclear how the process will continue in other universities.
